A 50 year old Macallan Anniversary Sold for $40,460 in Bonhams highly anticipated April 29 Whisky, Cognac & Rare Spirits auction. More than doubling its pre-sale low estimate, the excellent scotch was the top performer in the auction, which sold 91% by lot and 97% by value. Interest came primarily from the US, and the Madison Avenue salesroom swelled with attendees. Online bidding proved popular with both domestic and international clients representing East Asia, Australia, the UK, and Scandinavia.

Macallan Anniversary 50 years old

Scotch whisky achieved excellent prices overall, especially the Macallans on offer. A 50-year old Macallan Millennium from 1949 realized $19,040 while a 57 year-old Macallan in a distinctive Lalique bottle sold for $15, 470. Other notable results for scotch whisky included a Springbank Millennium series sold for $8,330, a 1955 40 year-old Bowmore that achieved $7,140 and a 45 year-old Linkwood from 1938 that brought $4,165.
Cognacs also performed very well, with every bottle on offer selling. A bottle of the legendary Remy Martin Black Pearl sold for $21,240, well above its pre-sale estimate. An eight-bottle series of Courvoisier in art-deco style decanters from Erté realized $9,758.

Many bourbons and ryes sold well above their estimates, demonstrating significant market expansion. A three-bottle lot of Old Weller bourbon more than quadrupled its pre-sale high estimate to sell for $1,071, while a single bottle of Green River Straight Whiskey nearly doubled its pre-sale low estimate, achieving $1,190, the same result as a bottle of George Washington Vatted American Whiskey which also sold over estimate. An unusual bottle of Old Quarter Century Whiskey distilled in 1890 and encased in wicker nearly tripled its pre-sale low estimate to sell for $1,785.

“The auction was successful across categories, with scotch remaining the focus,” said Bonhams Whisky Specialist, Joe Hyman. “Bonhams is proud to be the leader in this dynamic field.”

Bonhams next sale in New York of Whisky, Cognac & Rare Spirits will take place in October.

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